Darwin for BeginnersThe Beginner Books -- "Their cartoon format and irreverent wit make difficult ideas accessible and entertaining." -- Newsday aking us through the upheavals in biological thought which made The Origins of Species possible, Jonathan Miller introduces us to that odd revolutionary, Charles Darwin -- a remarkably timid man who spent most of his life in seclusion; a semi-invalid riddled with doubts, fearing the controversy his theories might unleash; yet also the man who finally undermined belief in God's creation. Along the way we meet a fascinating cast of characters: Darwin's scientific predecessors, his contemporaries (including Alfred Russell Wallace, whose anticipation of natural selection forced Darwin to publish), his opponents, and his successors whose work in modern genetics provided necessary modifications to Darwin's own work. Splendidly illustrated, this clever, witty, highly informative book is the perfect introduction to Darwin's life and thought. |
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18th century According adapted already alternative ancestors animals appearance argument became become began belief biological biologists called cells characteristics Charles Christian collecting common continued created Creationism Darwin descent directed distinct distinguished early earth Erasmus established eventually evidence evolution evolutionary thought existence experience explain expression fact factor favour fertilized followed gene genetic geneticists genotype geological gradually human idea important individual inherited interest Islands Lamarck later less living things longer Lyell mates MEANS mechanism mutation natural selection naturalist notion novelties objection observations Once organism Origin of Species parents pattern permanent physical picture plants population possibility publication published reading reason recognised regarded remained represented reproductive result Robert Grant scientific scientists selective breeding separate sexual reproduction showed similar social Society stage structure struggle success suggested theory thought transformation types variation voyage young